BP confirmed that salary freezes are being considered for some employees that make up its 95,000-strong workforce in the UK and abroad.

The firm has denied it will be implementing a company-wide salary freeze but has admitted that the salaries of a number of senior management employees are expected not to rise this year.

A spokesperson for BP also said salary freezes may not be restricted to senior management employees and some lower level staff could be affected.

A spokesperson said the salaries of all employees were being assessed as part of a routine pay review and bonus arrangements were also "under discussion".

He said the challenges presented by the "external environment" are likely to be reflected in the salary review process.